Retro Candy

Retro Candy
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Another housewarming present from M and WW - thanks guys!

10X mix

10X mix
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Simian and I got back late so he mixed up some of the 10X he made this afternoon with the potato salad and the zucchini I made yesterday. It was pretty good.

Basketball game

Basketball game
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Simian and I went to a game that his friend R was coaching. R's team was on the left - note the height disparity. They played their hearts out though and won the championship game!

Java Mama's

Java Mama's
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

I grabbed a quick lunch at this place. The drink I had (chocolate decadence!) was excellent but it isn't really a place to eat. The other people there seemed to be regulars in for their usual fix.

Main street, Reisterstown

Main street, Reisterstown
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

After dropping Simian at the train station, I stopped by Reisterstown for a walk, though not much was open on a Tuesday morning.

Cookie cutters

Cookie cutters
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

A present from M and WW all the way from Singapore (via Amazon!). Thanks guys - I will be making use of it for sure!

Potato and green bean salad

Potato and green bean salad
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

I also made a potato and green bean salad. After dinner, Simian put together furniture till just. I was able to only do important things like occasionally pass a nail :)

Tomato and zucchini

Tomato and zucchini
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

I made a tomato and zucchini dish for dinner.

Deck Chair

Deck Chair
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Suntaneye and her husby got Simian a gift card - we bought six chairs in all, but two are given by them :) We should name the chairs after them :)

Different coloured lilies

Different coloured lillies
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

The lilies come in different colours - and now the white ones seem dominant.

Lillies strangled by weeds

Lillies strangled by weeds
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

The weeds are choking the lilies!

Bunny in yard

Bunny in yard
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

I was walking past the front door and there was the brown bunny. He was very cautious, and when I walked out, he ran away.

Beef Rendang

Beef rendang
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Simian made beef rendang with the fake beef we get from H-mart, and the Prima Taste Beef Rendang sauce. It was pretty authentic.

Suntaneye's husby was kind enough to pretend my burnt pecan pie was good. Will make a better one next time!

Beer bread

Beer bread
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Since I was busy with the packing, and it was too cloudy to make good bread, I made cheesy beer bread. The oven and I have come to a sort of understanding so it turned out pretty well.

Mist

Mist
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

I took this through the bathroom window (and screen) so it's a bit blurry. I was just wondering why it was so misty and it literally started pouring five minutes later. Simian was at work and I was at home. The rain was intense but short.

Simian is on a furniture fixing frenzy so he fixed all the closet shelves. I managed as a result to put all my clothes away :) Nice to be getting rid of boxes and starting to live like a normal person again.

Mango and peach smoothie

Mango and peach smoothie
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Suntaneye and I made smoothies with the wonderful blender she gave me. We were both incredibly impressed by how strong it was. We put it on low and it crushed up the ice with no problem.

Suntaneye diced up the peaches, and I mashed up the mango. A maggot dropped out (we think) of one of the peaches so Simian and Suntaneye's husby had to come to the rescue.

The smoothie turned out to be pretty tasty, despite all the excitement - or perhaps because of it!

River and Scout magnet

River and Scout magnet
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Suntaneye and her husby came over and she made me this gorgeous magnet. I told her that she can make these to sell - they're so lovely!

Key Lime

Key Lime
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Our friend JH brought this lovely key lime pie which she got from Whole Foods.

Pecan Pie

Pecan Pie
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

We had friends over for dinner. We made edamame salad, laksa and for dessert I made pecan pie. Unfortunately it was a convection oven (as well as a normal one) and I didn't quite know how to use it so the edges of the crust got burnt :( I was cursing and swearing at the oven much to Simian's amusement.

Baugher's

Baugher's
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

These are the things you can pick throughout the year.

Baugher's produce

Baugher's produce
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

We tried to find the Walmart and instead came upon Baugher's, a few miles down the road. It's a working farm where you can pick whatever crop is there. A friend had told us the black raspberry ice cream was great (it was) but they didn't have half a gallon, so we bought half a gallon of butter pecan home for the bargain basement price of $4.69.

Lunch

Lunch
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

I had stuffed myself with potato chips and so lunch was a bowl of soup and an apple. That's Simian's black bean soup and portobello mushroom salad.

Panera Bread

Panera Bread
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

I've walked by Panera's several times but never eaten there. Simian likes it and we finally got a chance to eat there today.

Mango Smoothie

Mango Smoothie
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Simian and I went out to buy some bolts today and found that there were even more stores than I thought. There's a Target, an Old Navy, a Pet Smart, and a host of other stores. I am very happy :) This is the mango smoothie we had at Panera's.

BJ's

BJ's
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

This is one of the aisles at BJ's. You pay $45 to become a member and everything there is cheaper - including gasoline. The butter there is much cheaper *rubbing hands with glee*

Tire service in BJ's

Tire service in BJ's
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Last night we went to BJ's. First time I have seen tyres in a supermarket.

Watermelons

Watermelons
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Check out the size of these watermelons.

Goodwill Super Store

Goodwill Super Store
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

This made Simian happy - just a few miles from the house is a Goodwill Super store. I had to convince him not to get the $6 shoe rack. They had an old school desk (the type with the sloping writing desk) in wood for $25.

Salads

Salads
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

We went to Owings Mills Mall to eat after - I am in love with the mall! They have an H&M and a Forever 21 along with a Borders Express.

There was also a dollar shop - which is like our $1.99 shop. Simian and I both bought stuff.

AMC Owings Mills X-files day!

AMC Owings Mills X-files day!
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Simian took the day off and we went to watch the first screening of the X-Files at 10:40 am. I bounced out of bed and Simian remarked how I'm not usually this perky.

So the movie - it was awesome. Ignore the stupid critics who don't know anything. The relationship between Mulder and Scully was deepened. They used to act like a married couple - now they still do, but even more so. Also there were moments thrown in for the true Philes - I'm not spoiling it for anyone to say the pencils thrown into the office ceiling. Also check out the other names on Mulder's cellphone when he calls Scully. There was another Phile in front of us and he geeked out at the same moments I did - at a brief sighting of Chris Carter and also when there was an appearance by one of everyone's favourite characters. Remember to stay right to the end. File this under a movie I'll be going back to see again!

Solar lights

Solar lights
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

M asked about the solar lights, so here's a photo of them at twilight. As the light starts to go, there is a light sensor of some sort that 'tells' the lights to turn themselves on.

They aren't super bright but they mark the driveway - will be getting more. Just have to decide which ones.

Simian and I went for a jog just now for the second time. Some of the neighbours have horses and it's really peaceful.

12 hours to the X-Files! I was thinking we could watch it after Simian got home from work, but he knows how much I want to see it, so he's taking the day off and will work Saturday instead! We're going for the first show at the mall nearest here.!

Lilies in vase

Lilies in vase
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

The lily plant outside was starting to droop so I went and cut some - thought it was the weeds, but it turned out that the plant was just too heavy. I cut three stalks and the whole plant looks better. I startled a brown bunny as I came out of the house.

Simian came home and asked what the smell of rotten meat was - turned out he meant the lilies!

Shot

Shot
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Almost everyone had a shot of something that apparently tasted of cough syrup. I abstained and when I saw everyone's face was especially glad I did :)

Painting

Painting
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Painting in the corridor (which was for sale) at Brewer's Art, where we went for drinks afterward.

Tofu Pad Thai

Tofu Pad Thai
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

We also had tofu pad thai at Mythai - wasn't spicy at all and a little on the sweet side. Plus they forgot we wanted the vegetarian galangal so we ended up with chicken in the soup!

Galangal soup

Galangal soup
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

I drove down town to meet Simian and we went for F's farewell dinner. Almost his entire lab was there so it was pretty fun.

Laundry room

Laundry room
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

I cleaned out the laundry room today - the clothes on top of the dryer are the ones I just pulled out because they had to go in on low heat. I like the sink in the room!

I Want to Believe: X-Files Love Song

Two days more to the X-Files. Am booking my tickets today!

Living in the country

It's storming outside now - usually when it rains, the rain here is quite mild, and what people call a 'storm' here would be a drizzle in Singapore. Today it really is storming though and there's thunder and lighting. I'm glad to be home, safe an dry.

My driving license came yesterday finally. Simian and I went for a jog today - and it's amazing how quiet it is in the country though of course, there are cars and traffic. When you run, you can hear the rustling in the grass of small animals. Also we have fireflies in the garden. At night, when you stand outside, you see them as spots of light in the garden.

I've learnt several things :-
(1) if you can be bothered to drive your trash down to the landfill, it's $5 for a car load of trash.;
(2) don't open the doors in summer without the screen unless you want the whole fly population to move in;
(3) flies here move slower than the ones in Singapore
(4) somehow a fly will always get into the house.

Spent the day doing the existing work of cleaning out the fridge, oven and microwave ovens. I wiped down the fridge and took out all the drawers to wash - Mom you would have been proud :) Or laughed. I cleaned my stove and most of the cabinets yesterday so I could actually make myself soup earlier. Been waking up early to send simian to the Metro station so I'm pooped out by evening. Fell asleep earlier on the sofa.

We also got to meet the neighbours next door - we've been invited for their daughter's graduation party on Saturday.

Lowe's

Lowe's
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Suntaneye and her husby also got Simian a Lowe's card - a gift after his own heart.

Blender

Blender
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Suntaneye was a bad, bad girl. Even though it was her birthday, SHE brought a present for me - exactly what I wanted, a Kitchenaid Blender.

Tomato mozarella

Tomato mozarella
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

G and M came over too - M just got back on Sunday and hadn't seen the house either. Simian was delayed as his friend, F, was giving us some furniture. Simian came home with F in his minivan and more furniture for us around 9ish by which time we had demolished most of the food.

M was a sweetie - Simian was supposed to get a cake but as he was delayed, so M picked it up. suntaneye unfortunately did not have any candles because we couldn't find any candles or a lighter! Sorry suntaneye!

Broccoli and mixed mushroom, zucchini

Broccoli and mixed mushroom, zucchini
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

It was suntaneye's birthday yesterday and she and her husby came over for dinner. We had takeout pizza (sorry suntaneye - not very glamourous for a birthday dinner!). This was the broccoli and mixed mushroom and zucchini.

Dung Beetle

Dung Beetle
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Huge dung beetle - Simian rescued him and put him out.

H-Mart produce

H-Mart produce
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

We went to H-mart to pick up all manner of food and left with the cart full.

Salad

Salad
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

I had a salad with black beans, cheese and other Tex-mex staples.

Milkshake

Milkshake
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

This was an unusual milkshake, which was a milkshake and a half so that you would have enough to drink presumably. Simian and I shared one.

Red Robin menu

Red Robin menu
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

We ran around today running all kinds of errands and stocking up on stuff for the house. Simian is in the market for tools to build stuff, cut down branches in the garden, etc. I am on the lookout for a good steam mop to do the carpeted stairs.

We finally stopped for a late lunch at Red Robin - which was not bad but not the most fantastic food either of its kind.

Backyard Friends

Backyard Friends
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

This was also at the store, but I won't be leaving food out - just in case I see the bunny rabbit again though!

Our old neighbour from Baltimore came to visit today with her baby and her mother. S's mother lives just down the road and S moved out as well from the condo a few months ago. Apparently a few baby bear cubs were sighted on her mother's property!

Bird Seed

Bird Seed
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

Every home improvement shop seems to sell bird seed. I got some of this for the feeder.

Lilies

Lilies
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

We dragged ourselves out of bed this morning to return the uhaul, but when we got to the shop, it was closed! Simian called and they directed us to another store in the area, which was also closed but at least this one had a key drop. We did get a look around Westminister, and it's got more malls and shops than where we are. The interesting thing is that out here there definitely is less racial diversity than in the city.

I saw a badger in our bushes this morning - I had just come back from buying bird seed and 'backyard friend' feed. Simian cautioned me not to let the neighbours see me feeding the animals or they'll be pissed as the animals get into their crops.

These are the lilies - Simian has already started gardening which is backbreaking work.

Delhi Bazaar

Delhi Bazaar
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

There were a number of grocery stores and K and I went into almost all of them. This tiny store carried a lot of Indian food, and stuff that looked like it was from Mustafa, on a tiny scale. It even smelled like Mustafa. It's strange that it shares premises with a Pizza Hut.